Bees back on title trail says Parrish

Player-boss Dwight Parrish believes his Bracknell Bees side are back on course to retain the English Premier League title after taking maximum points at the weekend from games against two of their big rivals.

Player-boss Dwight Parrish believes his Bracknell Bees side are back on course to retain the English Premier League title after taking maximum points at the weekend from games against two of their big rivals.

Saturday’s 5-4 overtime win at the league’s form team, Peterborough Phantoms, was followed 24 hours later by a hugely impressive 4-1 home win over leaders Guildford Flames. And with 12 games left to play, Bees are now breathing down the necks of their local rivals.

Parrish said: “Three points behind with a game in hand sounds a lot better than seven behind with a game in hand – which is what we would have been had we lost to Guildford.

“But we also have the better head-to-head record with them, which would put us above them in the event we finish level on points. We have as good a chance as any team right now of winning the title.”

To do that, though, Bees’ boss believes his team will need victories in nine or 10 of their remaining matches.

He added: “It would be nice to take all 24 points, but if we could get 20 we will be up there. There are tough games coming up, but we have shown what we are capable of.”

Parrish was unhappy with Bees’ penalty-killing against Peterborough, whose last three goals were all on powerplays.

But Bees’ boss added: “We got caught out by Peterborough’s low glass. A couple of times the puck went over it and we were penalised for delaying the game.

“I thought everybody in our side turned up to play, though. Michal (Kanka) and Peter (Jasik) found their form, while there were good performances from Tom Carlon, Jan Melichar, Adam Bicknell, Ryan Watt and Jamie Line.”

Defenceman Parrish got a rare goal against Guildford the following night and paid tribute to Sean Thompson and Carlon for their involvement.

“Tom dug the puck out of the corner and when I shot he was screening the goalie, which made all the difference because Joe Watkins would have got it had he seen it.”

Bees now turn their attentions towards overturning a 4-3 deficit when they visit Milton Keynes Lightning on Thursday in the second leg of their EPL Cup semi-final.

* Bracknell Queen Bees extended their winning streak to nine games to stay top of the Women’s Premier League on Saturday with a 6-0 win over Guildford Lightning.